Member Article

Harrogate Chamber leader to step down after 13 years

Chief Executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Brian Dunsby will step down from the role when current term of office expires in the Spring of next year.

Brian has led Harrogate Chamber since 2002, helping to dramatically increase average attendance at each monthly meeting to around 100 local business people. During that time, he has also helped to increase the Chamber’s involvement in the town and significantly improve the work done to promote and support Yorkshire businesses, to promote local tourism and to improve traffic and transport connectivity.

Together with the Perlex Associates team – wife Beryl, and the Secretariat of Maggie Hall and Chris Muir – Brian will step down at the Chamber’s next AGM in May 2016 after 14 years at the helm. Perlex has previously administered several professional institutes and trade associations including numerous national and international conferences and trade shows, after selling out their Perlite production business Silvaperl.

Although stepping back from the Chamber, Brian will continue as a director of Yorkshire Business Market Ltd, the not-for-profit company which has run the Yorkshire Business Market since 2005. YBML then created and built up the very popular Harrogate Christmas Market over the last four years.

Brian said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the business community over the last 14 years, and will of course continue to do so with the Christmas Market and the Business Market.

“However, we believe that now is the right time to step back and allow a new team to take over the administration of this thriving local Chamber and organize its very popular monthly Meetings.

“We will be offering all our support during the hand-over period and wish the Chamber every success for the future.”

Chamber President Mike Shaw said: “Anyone who has attended a Chamber meeting, joined as a member, or attended any event or meeting where the Chamber has been represented, will have seen the incredible amount of hard work and dedication given by Brian and his team on a near full-time basis.

“As an organisation, we have been extremely fortunate to have their support for the last 14 years. Since taking over as President six months ago, I have seen first-hand how much time they give to their roles, and the impact it has on the business community, across a broad spectrum of issues.

“While we are very sorry to see Brian and the team step down, we wish them all the best as they continue with other aspects of their work, and enjoy some well-earned time off. Meanwhile, the Chamber Management Group will continue to work hard for local businesses, offering the support and representation they have enjoyed over many years.”

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